Headlight control



June 6, 1933.

W. S. TURNEY HEADLIGHT CONTROL Filed March 12, 1951 Inuenior A Home y Patented June 6, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM S. TURNEY, F HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 EUGENE W. CRITTENDEN, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS HEADLIGHT CONTROL Application filed March 12, 1931.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in means for controlling headlights on automobiles, and the princi pal object of the invention is to provide a headlight control whereby the headlight can be made to flash intermittently to eliminate glare so that approaching vehicles can pass without liability of running off the highway.

Another object of the invention is to provide a headlight control capable of being operated in a quick and convenient manner.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view disclosing the electrical connections between the devices involved.

Fig. 2 represents a fragmentary diagram.- matic view showing that portion of the circuit represented in broken lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a sectional View taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 generally refers to an automobile structure which includes the usual 3 steering wheel 6 and steering shaft housing 7. Extending through this housing 7 is the rod 8 which is controlled at its upper end by the lever 9. The lower end of this rod 8 carries a contactor 10 capable of bridging the contacts 11 and 12. The contactor 10 is also provided with a protuberance 18 for engagement with the contact 14 when the contactor is removed from the contact 12.

Numerals 1515 represents the bulbs of the headlights 16. Extending from the usual storage battery 17 is a lead 18 to the contact 11, while from the contact 12, a jumper 19 extends to the headlight bulbs 15-15 which are connected to the jumper 19,

in parallel.

Serial No. 522,065.

From the contact 12 also extends a con. ductor 20 connected to the brush 21 which rides against the commutator or circuit breaker 22. The complementary brush 23 is connected to the jumper 24 which is in- 5 tel-posed between the motor 25 and the contact 14.

When the contractor 10 is bridging the contacts 11 and 12, current is flowing from the battery 1'7 through the lead 18 and jumpor 19 to the headlight bulbs 15-15 to produce a steady light. However, when the rod 8 is actuated so as to bridge the contacts 11 and 14, current flows from the battery 17 thru the contactor 10 to the contact 14, and from there along the conductor 24 to the connnutator and motor, and from the commutator back through the contact 12 and jumper 19 to the headlights.

Obviously the current supplied to the bulbs is intermittent so that the headlights produce flashes so that during the dark intervals, the drivers will be able to locate themselves on the roadway. However, it has been found that there are no real perieds of darkness, but that which corresponds to the dark period, is in fact, a dim illumination caused by the glow of the filaments. This reduces the glare of the headlights and permits safe passing at night.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is A headlight control comprising a current supply, a headlight, a flasher switch, a mo- 8 tor for driving the flasher switch, a manual switch including a blade, a connection between the current supply and one side of the flasher and also to the motor whereby the flasher switch is operated, a pair of contacts at the said manual switch, one of said contacts being connected to the other side of the flasher switch, the other contact being connected to the headlight bulbs, a contact in the battery connection, said switch blade being selectively engageable with the first mentioned contacts and continuously engaged with the contact in the battery connection to supply current constantly or interniittently to the headlight bulbs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

VILLIAM S. TURNEY. 

